PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to total disability for individual unemployability (TDIU) due to conflicting assertions regarding whether the Veteran requires more time to submit a VA Form 21-8940 and whether it is required at all. Further, a retrospective VA opinion must be obtained that provides an analysis of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability since June 2000.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted with an effective date of October 21, 2016. The date entitlement arose is within one year prior to the initial application for a TDIU on June 4, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The right knee and low back disabilities are remanded for further examination and determination of their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other mental health conditions was granted, effective from August 5, 2006. The Board also granted an earlier effective date of August 5, 2006, for the grant of service connection for PTSD. Additionally, the Board remanded the issues of TDIU prior to September 4, 2014 and DEA benefits prior to September 4, 2014.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and major depressive disorder is granted as his diagnosis of PTSD is related to an in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder present since August 2016, including whether it is related to service or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a left knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to outstanding medical records during his period of incarceration. The case will be further evaluated by VA examiners.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to March 22, 2017, and a rating in excess of 40 percent on and after March 22, 2017, for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative joint disease; and entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral shin splints and service connection for a psychiatric disability are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, back pain, and neck pain due to the lack of a valid in-service stressor and because the Veteran did not timely file a notice of disagreement with respect to these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired mental disorder, specifically PTSD, has been reopened and granted. The stressors identified by the Veteran have been verified, and a diagnosis of PTSD is now established.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is reopened. The Board also remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period from July 24, 2012 to July 9, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The claim is moot as of July 10, 2017 when he received a 100% disability rating for ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD and links it to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, not total occupational and social impairment. The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance eligibility on and prior to July 7, 2020, are granted due to the severity of his service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus.

An increased disability rating of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD is granted, effective from November 8, 2019.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% for the entire period of appeal, reflecting total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors. The case will be reviewed again with a focus on verifying the reported stressors and obtaining a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and gastritis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.